Things to do in Antalya
Beaches, boats & wild coast
Beyond the old city: turquoise coves, harbour boat trips, the Lycian Way, canyon rafting and ancient Phaselis — Antalya rewards the curious traveller who ventures past Kaleiçi.
Photo: Esginmurat · CC BY-SA 4.0
Beaches
Antalya has more beach variety than most people realise — pebble, sandy, cove, and wild. Here's how to choose.
Konyaaltı Beach
The local Miami
Konyaaltı is Antalya's own backyard — a 7 km stretch of pebble beach framed by the Taurus mountains on one side and the sea on the other. It's called the local Miami for good reason: a palm-lined promenade runs the entire length, packed with bars, restaurants, changing facilities, and sun-lounger rentals. A dedicated cycling and running path makes it equally great even if you never touch the water. Pebble underfoot, yes — bring water shoes and you'll be fine. If you only have time for one beach, make it this one.
- ✓Free entry
- ✓Best in the morning before crowds
- ✓Rent a bike and ride the whole strip
- ✓Beach bars serve cold Efes all day
Lara Beach
Sandy — but honest caveat
Lara is Antalya's answer to a proper sandy beach, stretching east of the city past the resort hotels. The sand is the draw — fine, golden, and easy on bare feet. Honest take: unless you're obsessed with sandy beaches or staying at a Lara hotel, it's not worth the extra effort from Kaleiçi. The water is beautiful, the strip is well-served, but the vibe is solidly tourist-resort rather than local. Save it for a dedicated beach day.
- ✓20 min taxi from Kaleiçi
- ✓Crowded July–August
- ✓Best for families with young kids
Mermerli Beach
Crystal clear, intimate, unforgettable
Tucked directly below the old city walls, Mermerli is the most atmospheric beach in Antalya — a small cove of translucent turquoise water with the ancient harbour above you. There's an entrance fee (the adjacent restaurant manages access) but the water clarity alone makes it worth it. It's compact, never huge, and gets busy on hot days — go early or late afternoon. The snorkelling here is excellent.
- ✓Small entrance fee applies
- ✓Best water clarity in central Antalya
- ✓Restaurant on-site for lunch
- ✓Reachable on foot from Kaleiçi
Adalar Beach
The local's secret
West of Konyaaltı, past the main strip, Adalar is where locals go when they want to escape the tourists. Quieter, less serviced, more rocky — bring your own supplies and a snorkel mask. The underwater world here is better than Konyaaltı proper. If you want an afternoon that feels genuinely off the beaten path, this is it.
- ✓No facilities — bring water and snacks
- ✓Excellent snorkelling
- ✓Less crowded even in peak season
- ✓Reachable by bus or a long walk from Konyaaltı
Boat Trips
The Roman harbour is the departure point for some of the best value boat trips on the Turkish coast.
Roman Harbour Day Cruises
Departs from Kaleiçi Harbour · Daily in season
Wooden gulets depart from the ancient Roman harbour — right inside the old city — for all-day cruises along the coastline. Most trips include 4–5 swimming stops in secluded bays you can't reach any other way, lunch on board, and a run past sea caves and cliff faces. It's one of the best ways to see the Antalya coastline and costs a fraction of the equivalent in Bodrum or Fethiye.
Boats fill up fast in July and August — book a day ahead. The walk down through the harbour itself is worth doing regardless; the Roman stonework is remarkably intact and the view back up to the city walls is excellent.
Departure
Usually 09:00–10:00 from harbour
Duration
Full day, typically back by 17:00–18:00
Price
Contact us for the latest prices (lunch usually included)
Swimming stops
4–5 stops in clear bays
Meeting point
Kaleiçi Roman Harbour (follow the boats)
Season
April to October
Hiking the Lycian Way
One of the world's great long-distance walks. The section south-west of Antalya takes you along dramatic sea cliffs, through ancient ruins, and into villages untouched by mass tourism.
This is the Antalya-to-Kaş segment — 6 walking days, approximately 100 km.
Start
Çıralı / Olympos
End
Kaş
Distance
~100 km
Best season
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Take an early bus or arrange a transfer to Çıralı or Olympos. Check in, swim, and get your legs ready. Çıralı is a calm bay village with simple pensions — perfect base for the first stretch.
Start from the Olympos ruins and head south through pine forest and coastal cliffs. The path drops into the bay at Adrasan — one of the cleanest, least-developed bays on the entire coast. Sleep here.
A shorter but scenic stage. Rocky trails above sea cliffs, with several wild swimming spots. Karaöz is a tiny village — basic accommodation, genuine Turkish family cooking.
The longest day. Trail moves inland before dropping to Finike harbour — a real working town, not a resort. Stock up here. The marina has good fish restaurants for a well-earned dinner.
A flat coast walk leading to Myra, home to one of Turkey's best-preserved Lycian rock tombs and the Church of St. Nicholas (yes, that St. Nicholas — Santa Claus). A must-see even if you're not hiking the full route.
The highlight stage. Trail reaches Kekova — the sunken city visible through the water from a kayak or boat. Üçağız village is tiny, beautiful, and feels entirely removed from modern tourism.
End point (for this segment). Kaş is a lively bohemian town with excellent restaurants, diving, and connections back to Antalya by bus (around 3 hours). You've earned a cold Efes.
Before you go
- Download the Wikiloc app or buy the Lycian Way map by Kate Clow (the route's original creator)
- Water sources are irregular — carry at least 2–3 litres at all times
- Avoid July and August — trail temperatures can exceed 40°C in full sun
- Family pensions in the village stages are good value, often with half board
- Trail runners work better than boots for most of this section — rocky but not technical
- Local dolmuş buses connect most stage towns — easy to bail if needed
Rafting at Köprülü Canyon
One of Turkey's premier rafting destinations, about 75 km from Antalya. Accessible as a day trip and absolutely worth the drive.
Köprülü Canyon Rafting
~75 km from Antalya · Full-day experience
The Köprülü Canyon National Park is where the Köprüçay river has carved a dramatic gorge through the Taurus mountains — in places 100 metres deep, with walls of limestone rising straight from the water. The rafting route runs 14 km through Class II–III rapids, forested canyon walls, and two intact Roman bridges spanning the river overhead. It's a surreal combination of adrenaline and history.
Tours typically include transfer from Antalya, all equipment, a guide, and lunch at a riverside restaurant. No experience needed — these are well-managed, beginner-friendly rapids. Children over 7 can usually join.
Route length
14 km of river
Difficulty
Class II–III (beginner friendly)
Rafting time
2–3 hours on the water
Best season
March to October
Minimum age
7+ (tour-dependent)
Price
Contact us for the latest prices (usually incl. transfer & lunch)
Phaselis Ancient City
A Lycian and Roman city set directly on the sea — three harbours, a main boulevard lined with columns, and you can swim right next to 2000-year-old ruins.
Phaselis — Three Harbours, One Ancient City
~55 km south-west of Antalya · Paid entry
Founded by Rhodian colonists in the 7th century BC, Phaselis was once a major trading port on the Lycian coast — and it shows. The main street is a colonnaded avenue that runs straight from the north harbour to the south harbour. Ruins of baths, an amphitheatre, and a triumphal arch dedicated to Hadrian line the route. At either end: the sea. Pine trees shade the whole site.
What makes Phaselis unusual is that the swimming is genuinely excellent — clear Aegean water inside the ancient harbour walls. Many visitors come as much for the beach as the ruins. Plan a half-day minimum; a full day is better.
Getting there
A rental car is the best option — gives you flexibility to stop at Olympos, Çıralı bay, and the Chimaera fire on the same day. There's no direct public bus to the site entrance; a dolmuş drops you 1 km short on the main road. We can also arrange a private transfer with a stop at Phaselis — ask us below.
Entry
Paid (Müzekart accepted)
Opening hours
08:00–19:00 (summer)
Time needed
2–4 hours
Location
Tekirova, ~55 km from Antalya
Swimming
Yes — inside the ancient harbour
Parking
Free, large car park at entrance
Best season
April–June and September–October
Bring
Towel, snorkel, sunscreen, water
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